Ministers reject second request to use banned bee-harming pesticides

“Campaigners welcome decision to turn down National Farming Union’s application for ‘emergency’ use of neonicotinoids for oil seed rape, ” reports The Guardian today (8 July).

Dave Timms, Friends of the Earth’s bee campaigner, described the government’s move as “great news for bees and other wildlife”.

But he said the victory is at risk following the EU referendum. “The government must do all it can to safeguard our under-threat pollinators. This should include maintaining the current European ban on bee-harming pesticides – and committing to upholding and enforcing EU nature protection rules, which are now at risk as we plan our Brexit.”